June 7, 2024, published at 2:31 PM ET
Snoop Dogg‘The antics on social media seem to be catching up with him. The Drop it like it’s hot The rapper is being sued for alleged copyright infringement over a viral TikTok video he reposted to his Instagram in January. The lawsuit obtained by RadarOnline.com was caused by Bradford Perry, a successful animator who said he created an original video “showing how many animals people eat every year,” which Snoop shared. The only problem is that Perry has registered his creation with the United States Copyright Office and is the “sole owner of the exclusive rights to the subject video,” claiming that he
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The lawsuit was filed earlier this year and has been filed secretly in the U.S. District Court of California; in the latest filing from June 3, however, Perry and Snoop – whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr. – revealed that they “have not yet exchanged information necessary for an early settlement.”
Perry accused Snoop of copyright infringement and is seeking “statutory damages up to $30,000 per work infringed, provided the copyright is timely registered, or up to $150,000 for the willful infringement of Perry’s artwork.”
He also demanded that Snoop pay his attorney’s fees, as well as other costs associated with the case, statutory damages for the said violation, which he said could cost $150,000 per violation, and any additional damages the court deems appropriate .
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Perry argued that Snoop “published and displayed the subject video on his TikTok account via his username ‘@snoopdogg,’ without plaintiff’s consent or permission.” He alleged that the rap mogul’s infringement “was intentional,” adding that Snoop “knew or reasonably should have known that 3D artworks are copyrighted, and thus it was at the very least reckless for Defendant to use the Video at issue.” without obtaining a license or permission to do so.”
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But Snoop fought back, claiming that “any ‘use’ of Plaintiff’s work was protected by the ‘fair use’ doctrine.” He also denied that Perry is entitled to compensation for any damages resulting from his actions. Snoop’s attorney noted that the star deleted the video after receiving a “take down” letter showing his “good faith in this matter.”
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While Perry and Snoop have not discussed a possible settlement, they have agreed on a plan before the lawsuit goes to trial. The pair must follow specific timelines to complete their arguments, including filing written discovery by June 14 and taking depositions.
If Perry and Snoop cannot reach an agreement by March 7, 2025, the 3D artist and the rapper have a tentative trial date scheduled for April 22, 2025.
RadarOnline.com has reached out to Snoop’s attorney for comment.
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This isn’t the first time Snoop has been sued for something he posted on social media. FreedomNews.TV legal action taken against him in 2021 via a viral video he shared on Instagram.